Education Secretary Duncan hears from NEA members on education reform
Wyoming delegates among more than 9,000 NEA members at Annual Meeting
Education Secretary Arne Duncan told NEA members that educators must be at the table for any discussions about transforming America’s public schools. Duncan addressed more than 7,000 educators as part of a town hall exchange at the NEA’s Annual Meeting in San Diego, and heard their views on how to best ensure that every student has access to a quality public education.
An NEA member from every state joined Secretary Duncan on the stage, including Wyoming teacher Chassi Baumstarck who teaches first grade in Arapaho, "It was a great experience to be so close to the Secretary, and to look at the thousands of people watching," Said Chassi.
More about Secretary Duncan's town hall exchange at RA.
Click here for more RA coverage!
WEA members attend Representative Assembly, 2009
Over 40 Wyoming Education Association members and staff have joined over 9,000 NEA delegates from around the country July 1 through July 6 in San Diego, CA for the Association's 147th Annual Meeting and 88th Representative Assembly.
Click here for more RA information.
Wyoming students part of San Diego Outreach to Teach
At this year's "Outreach to Teach," more than 400 NEA volunteers - mostly Student and Retired members – descended on Balboa Elementary school in San Diego. Among them, Student Wyoming Education Association members Sara Simpson, Jennifer Smith, Trent Agee, Michaela Uhling, Daniele Boggs and Aaron Merkin. WEA Communications Director Ron Sniffin also joined the crew as the WEA Student Coordinator.
Fresh coats of paint and charming murals on interior and exterior walls are just part of the work that NEA, with the help of corporate sponsor Target, did to transform the school on Saturday, June 27.
Read more about the Outreach to Teach.
Ken Decaria Hired as GR Director
Wyoming Education Association President Kathryn Valido today announced that Ken Decaria has been chosen as the WEA Government Relations Director. Decaria is a middle school teacher in Evanston and is currently a Wyoming State Senator. "We are very excited that Ken has accepted this position," said Valido. "Not only does Ken bring to the position his first-hand knowledge of Wyoming public education, but his invaluable experience as a Wyoming Legislator," she added.
Decaria has taught 25 years in Evanston schools, primarily teaching middle school. He has served in the Legislature for 13 years, first elected to the House in 1998, then elected to the Senate in 2000.
Decaria says he looks forward to using his life experiences when communicating with policy makers. "I think it will be good to have someone who understands the day to day challenges of being in the classroom, as well as the challenges that face legislators," said Decaria.
Decaria will officially begin his new position July 13th. He will resign his position as Wyoming Senator representing Senate District 15 the end of June.
Governor Reduces Budget by $231.6 million
Following is an excerpt from the Governor's letter to the Wyoming Legislature's Joint Appropriations Committee regarding education funding.
I have followed Superintendent McBride's recommendations for a relatively small reduction in the foundation program. The School Facilities Commission faces a more substantial cut of $18.4 million. These reductions are only a first step, as forecasts suggest a shortfall of nearly $100 million in the foundation program next biennium, a figure which does not factor in an additional shortfall of approximately $230 million were we to attempt to maintain our current level of school construction spending. Clearly, changes to the makeup of the foundation formula and our school facilities construction targets will have to be considered.
The state will seek additional Federal school funding via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, but it is important that the state be given the flexibility to time the distribution of ARRA education dollars to offset reduced state revenues, beginning in the next biennium.
Click here to view the Governor's Press release and letter to the Wyoming Legislature's Joint Appropriations Committee.
New WEA leaders are elected
The results of the Wyoming Education Association 2009 elections were tabulated May 13th in the WEA Headquarters building in Cheyenne. Over a dozen WEA retired members volunteered to count the nearly three-thousand ballots that were cast. The most contested race was for Northwest District Representative to the WEA Board where Lander member Carrie Johnson edged out Greybull member Joel Kuper. The elections not only determined positions on the WEA Board of the Directors, but delegates to the National Education Association Representative Assembly, which will be held in San Diego July 1-7. Click here for all of the election results.
SPARKS fly during WEA workshop
WEA's Southeast district provided over 20 young educators the highly acclaimed
professional growth workshop SPARKS, May 4-6. The participants from Cheyenne,
Laramie, Torrington and other southeast Wyoming communities, were offered
valuable tools to help them in their classrooms, as well as in their personal
lives. The topics discussed ranged from "Conflict Resolution," to "Financial
Management." To request a SPARKS training in your area, contact your UniServ Director.
WEA and Arch Coal team up
to honor outstanding teachers
The Wyoming Education Association helped to recognize ten outstanding classroom teachers today who received the coveted Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award during a ceremony at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School in Cheyenne. Representing WEA was Vice President Craig Williams (pictured at right) who was joined by Governor Freudenthal and his wife Nancy. Click here to read more.
Tune in to Schoolhouse Talk
Schoolhouse talk is a new Internet radio show that brings together people around the country who care about public education. It is available live each Wednesday at 3:00 pm EST. The show may also be downloaded for on-the-go listening at any point throughout the week. Schoolhouse Talk offers live interviews with key education policy makers, a news round-up that summarizes weekly education events, features about new and innovative approaches to public education, and call-in opportunities for anyone who wants their voice to be heard on education issues. More . . . .
Delegate Assembly a success despite spring storm
While not an official delegate to the 77th WEA Delegate Assembly, Mother Nature arrived bringing with her a harsh spring snowstorm that forced some adjustments to the April 16-18 annual event.
NEA President Dennis Van Roekel was the scheduled keynote speaker. He made it as far as Denver International Airport, but was forced to turn around and go back to Washington because roads were closed and flights canceled to Wyoming.
Teacher of the Year Alice King was the scheduled speaker for the Awards and Recognition Banquet, but she was stranded in Gillette. More . . .
Governor signs supplemental budget bill and session ends!
The gavel fell on the 2009 session of the Wyoming Legislature on March 5. With a total of 486 bills filed, WEA was actively involved in 89 which related directly or indirectly to children and public education. Click here for a complete wrap-up of education-related legislative action.
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